Practical Pistol Show 60 - Kicking ass with a shitty gun?

Published on July 14, 2015
Duration: 38:35

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show features Ben Stoeger, Tim Herren, and Keith Martin discussing whether the firearm choice significantly impacts a shooter's score in competition. The consensus is that while a reliable and comfortable firearm is important, shooter skill, practice, and mental fortitude are far more critical. They emphasize that a shooter can achieve high levels of success with a wide variety of production firearms, and the perceived advantage of more expensive or specialized guns is often overstated, especially for intermediate shooters.

Quick Summary

In competitive shooting, shooter skill and mental game are far more critical than the specific firearm used. While a reliable and comfortable gun is important, most modern production firearms are accurate enough for disciplines like USPSA. Focus on practice and fundamentals rather than believing a more expensive gun will automatically improve your score.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Intro & Guest Introductions
  2. 01:50The Question: Does Your Gun Matter?
  3. 03:05Panel Discussion on Firearm Impact
  4. 05:04Ben Stoeger's Experience with Beretta
  5. 07:08The 'Mental Cushion' of a Reliable Gun
  6. 09:09Trigger Weight and Skill Building
  7. 10:07Analogy: Lamborghini vs. Daily Driver
  8. 11:13Beretta 92FS: Is it a Good Gun?
  9. 13:30Tim Herren on the Sig 320
  10. 14:11Limited Guns and Custom Builds
  11. 15:47Why Ben Stoeger Chose Tanfoglio
  12. 19:58Can You Buy Skill?
  13. 22:29The 'New Girlfriend Syndrome'
  14. 23:20The Guy with $20k Gear
  15. 24:00Platforms Shot vs. Skill Level
  16. 28:27Dealing with a Bad Stage
  17. 30:02Keith Martin's Strategy for Bad Stages
  18. 31:16Hopkins' Approach to Bad Stages
  19. 32:16Tim Herren's Strategy for Bad Stages
  20. 33:08Poker Analogy for Mistakes
  21. 36:12Specific Strategies for Moving Past Mistakes
  22. 37:00Maintaining Perspective in Shooting
  23. 38:00Outro & Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the type of gun I use in competitive shooting significantly impact my score?

For many competitive shooters, especially at intermediate levels, the firearm itself is less critical than shooter skill and mental game. While a reliable and comfortable gun is important, most modern production firearms are accurate enough. Focus on practice and fundamentals rather than believing a more expensive gun will automatically improve your score.

What is the 'new girlfriend syndrome' in relation to firearms?

The 'new girlfriend syndrome' in firearms refers to the excitement and motivation a shooter gets from acquiring a new gun. This often leads to increased practice, which improves skill. However, the improvement comes from the practice itself, not necessarily from the inherent superiority of the new firearm.

How should I handle a bad stage in a shooting competition?

After a bad stage, acknowledge the mistake briefly (e.g., 30-60 seconds) and then immediately shift your focus to the process and execution of the next stage. Dwelling on past errors will negatively impact your performance. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and the match is long.

What firearms are generally considered suitable for USPSA competition?

For USPSA, most reliable production guns are suitable. This includes popular models like Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, Beretta 92FS, Sig Sauer P320, CZ, and Tanfoglio. The key is that the firearm runs reliably with standard ammunition and fits the shooter well.

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